Older TMCC Lionel Hudsons, like the 763e (6-18056), does anyone still run them?

I have the ATSF Warhorse Hudson form 1996 and I think it runs fine.  It's very smooth.  I must admit that I had to work on it quite a bit as the first owner displayed it very high up and as the story goes, it took a five foot tumble.  There was a very light mark in one side of the tender shell and the cab was fairly bent (really twisted).  I think there were also a few broken screws in the valve gear and one wheel retention screw was also broken. Long story short, I was fortunate enough to be able to straighten it all out without breaking it further and despite all that, the drivetrain is still very smooth (at least to me it is).  I would say that it seems this era of Hudson does not seem to hold their value very well unless that are very mint.  Nice engine, free is good, have fun running it!

Runs great.  Had to replace the circuit board once but other than that she's a winner for me.

I have and run the 6-18056 as well. I have never had an issue or problem with it, and it is one of my favorite Hudsons.

I know some gripe about the unrealistic Vandy tender, but to me it is one of the most striking features about this engine. Also, the "dyna-chuff" feature that comes on when the engine is loafing along is beyond cool! I really like this era of Lionel production(1996 etc.) and I collect and operate these often.

The "Warhorse"  ATSF Hudson is also, in my opinion, a must have engine.

I agree with what John has said, I would add the Warhorse at least has one of the best whistle sounds I have heard.  I would suspect that the 6-18056 would probably have the same sounds though not 100% sure.  There were a few quick upgrades during that time period as Lionel learned and upped the anti so to speak.

I still run my Warhorse hudson. Never given me any problems, and great whistle.

I am with you John, I love the collector line stuff from the mid 90's. The hudsons, vanderbilts, Mohawk etc. All are excellent runners.

Darn.  I keep hoping that the 6-18005s will become greatly disfavored, due to lack of whistle smoke or something, and I will be able to snag one for cheap.  Apparently these 1990s beauties are still favored by a large segment of the Lionel crowd.

I have the 18056 with the Vandy tender and of all the engines that I own which were manufactured by Lionel during the mid 1990s era it pulls and runs the best.  The Vanderbilt tender doesn't bother me in the least.  I have a Lionel 18064 Mohawk which has one of the great whistles of all time but its not much of a puller. Likewise, the original silver Commodore Vanderbilt falls into the same category as the Mohawk, great whistle but truly a lousy puller.  Nevertheless, I run and enjoy them anyway.

Do the Century Club Hudson's count?

In spite of how unique the 18056 is, I have not yet acquired one for myself.

However, I do have the 18043 Chesapeake & Ohio Yellowbelly Hudson with the matching Heavyweight passenger cars, as well as the Century Club 773 Hudson. Both are great runners, and the sounds are excellent, especially their whistles. For whatever reason, when I compared the C&O running to an 18045 Commodore Vanderbilt, it pulled a heavy load much better! I even upgraded the C&O with an ElectroCoupler. Both of these engines make frequent trips on the layout, in spite of the fact of me acquiring quite a lot of Legacy locomotives, including the Vision Line 700E Hudson.

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Darn.  I keep hoping that the 6-18005s will become greatly disfavored, due to lack of whistle smoke or something, and I will be able to snag one for cheap.  Apparently these 1990s beauties are still favored by a large segment of the Lionel crowd.

When compared to the original street price, those engines are way down in price. Although the prices have recovered slightly from their low point. Where to you want to be?

Nice engine's Thomas!

btw, If anyone has a junky old gunmetal Commodore Vanderbilt they hate and just need to flush away, just let me know will ya

The 1990 5340 Scale Hudson's that you reference do have smoke and railsounds but no magnetraction. As for the price; in the off season I've seen these engines sell for as low as $350 on eBay. They are the last of the American made scale Hudson's. My pair has been reliable and they run well. The only problem is if you are buying a 24 year old engine (and its still new in the box), you must lubricate thoroughly before operating or it won't pull very well.

Unless you exclude the Gold Plated Hudson from 2000, yes the 18005 was the last true scale Hudson made in America. OGR did an updated article on that engine, in comparison to the new Vision Hudson, in Run 261/January 2013.

I did have this particular engine and it ran great, at the time of purchase. Its limited 2.5 version electronics left a lot to be desired when 4.0, and 5.0, and todays Legacy standards became available. If I had this nice engine, I would get with Gunrunner John and have him install the Chuffer Board and get it set for better sounds. That just a thought. Its a fine looking Locomotive. By the way, he is running a special on Chop/Block the tender and Locomotive.....Happy Railroading.

I have the scale hudson from 1990. It has run great. It now sits on a shelf but I just may get it down and give it a run for the first time in about ten years. 

I did see them sag to $350.  Next time I see that, snag!  However, mine will get converted to 2- rail and will have a tail beam.  Will not need to worry much about lubrication.